UPDATE 1-Dalai Lama: China is built on lies, run by hypocrites

CAPE TOWN Oct 8 (Reuters) - China is built on lies and its
officials are hypocrites, the Dalai Lama said on Saturday,
speaking via videophone after visa problems prevented him from
joining Archbishop Desmond Tutu's birthday celebrations in South
Africa.

"Some Chinese officials describe me as a demon," the Tibetan
spiritual leader said to loud applause as he put his index
fingers either side of his head to mimic devil's horns.

"In reality, for the communist totalitarian system ...
hypocrisy (and) telling lies has unfortunately become part of
their lives."

He said the Chinese government was "uncomfortable" with
people who tell the truth, adding that honest people live longer
and he would like to attend Tutu's 90th birthday.

"At that time, don't forget to send me an invitation ...
then we can test your government," he said to Tutu in an
apparent reference to his visa debacle with South African
authorities.

The government's failure to allow the Dalai Lama into the
country has been seen as bowing to pressure from China, South
Africa's largest trading partner that pledged to invest $2.5
billion in Africa's largest economy last week.

The 80-year old Tutu retired about a year ago from most
public duties but has remained a prominent figure and is still
seen as a voice of integrity.